Former Alabama executive hired to lead Kentucky athletics

J Batt is officially headed back to the SEC. After a notable run at Michigan State, the former Alabama administrator has been tapped as the new athletics director and CEO of Champions Blue LLC at the University of Kentucky, UK announced Monday.

A Familiar Face in the SEC

Batt brings an extensive resume back to the conference. He spent a productive stint at Alabama from 2017 through 2022, where he climbed the ranks to serve as executive deputy director of athletics. During his time in Tuscaloosa, Batt held pivotal roles as chief operating officer and chief revenue officer, and even oversaw the basketball program.

Following his Alabama tenure, Batt served as the athletics director at Georgia Tech starting in 2022 before moving on to lead Michigan State’s athletic department.

Upholding the Standard

In his introductory statement on Monday, Batt expressed his enthusiasm for joining the Wildcats. "The championship standard has been established at Kentucky and we are committed to upholding that standard of excellence," Batt said. "Our continued success will take everyone in the Big Blue Nation, working together to provide resources to our teams and our student athletes that position them for success."

His leadership was highly regarded during his time in Alabama. Reflecting on his departure for Georgia Tech in 2022, former head coach Nick Saban praised Batt's impact, stating in a statement at the time that Batt was a trusted advisor who played an essential role in the program’s administrative success, including the Crimson Standard Initiative.

Alabama men’s basketball coach Nate Oats also previously lauded Batt’s work ethic and vision, noting that his contributions were vital assets to the program. As a UNC graduate, Batt now steps into a new challenge at another basketball powerhouse, where he will take over for longtime Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart.